The Best Portland to Acadia National Park Road Trip: 6 Must-See Stops (By a Local!)
If you want to plan a road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park, you are in the right place! I grew up exploring Maine, so I can provide you with the best insight on what to do on your road trip. Even though you can drive to Acadia National Park within a few hours from Portland, I recommend taking at least a full day to enjoy a scenic drive along the coast.
There is so much to do and see in Midcoast Maine, and I recommend taking your time if you have the time! And if you want to plan a multi-day road trip, you will not be disappointed in the beautiful coastal towns you can explore!
This guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip because it has everything you need to know about the best places to visit on a Portland to Acadia National Park road trip!
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Things to Know About a Portland to Acadia National Park Road Trip
Distance From Portland to Acadia National Park
The fastest route from Portland to Acadia National Park takes just under three hours, but I recommend taking the scenic route along the coast, which takes about 3.5 hours. The fastest route takes you north towards Bangor before heading south to Acadia National Park.
The coastal tour is far more scenic and takes you through many stunning coastal towns where you can enjoy beautiful ocean views, delicious food, boat cruises, and many other fun activities.
Time Needed to drive from Portland to Acadia National Park
Although you can drive to Acadia National Park from Portland in under three hours, I recommend taking at least a few days to enjoy some of the coastal towns in Maine. I promise they are worth it! You can spend your days cruising around the ocean on scenic boat rides, hiking along coastal trails, eating delicious food, or swimming in the beautiful blue water.
If you do not have a few days to spend on the road trip, I recommend taking an entire day to drive the scenic coastal route and stopping at a few of the must-see attractions. You will not be disappointed!
Getting From Portland to Acadia National Park
Drive: The best way to get from Portland to Acadia National Park is by driving because it allows you to have the flexibility to stop along the trip! If you drive straight through, the road trip will take you under four hours along the coast.
Bus: If you do not want to drive, you can take a bus from Portland to Acadia National Park. Concord Coachlines travels from Portland to Bangor, where you switch to the Downeast Transportation bus to get to Bar Harbor.
Flying: If you want to avoid driving altogether, you can fly on Cape Air from Boston to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, just outside Bar Harbor.
Best Time to Plan a Road Trip
Because Maine is a year-round destination, you can enjoy a fun road trip any season! In terms of weather, summer is the best time to visit because the temperatures are warm and the activities are endless. If you want to enjoy boat cruises and hiking, summer is the perfect time to visit.
Fall is a fantastic time to road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park if you want to enjoy the stunning fall foliage. Summer and fall are the most popular times to visit the coast, and the crowds will be high. Winter is an underrated time to visit and does not lack things to do! Although some restaurants and shops close seasonally, the coast still has plenty of winter activities. And there are fewer crowds!
Where to Stay Between Portland and Acadia National Park
If you want to plan a multi-day road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park, you can easily find accommodations along your route. Almost all the coastal towns along the drive have many accommodation options, including Portland, Boothbay, Rockland, Camden, and Bar Harbor. These areas also are near many attractions, tours, and restaurants.
Portland to Acadia National Park Road Trip Itineraries
1-Day Portland to Acadia National Park Itinerary
Stop 1: Portland
Stop 2: Camden
Stop 3: Acadia National Park
2-3-Day Portland to Acadia National Park Itinerary
Day 1: Portland
Day 2: Camden
Day 3: Acadia National Park
4-5-Day Portland to Acadia National Park Itinerary
Day 1: Portland
Day 2: Boothbay
Day 3: Rockland
Day 4: Camden
Day 5: Acadia National Park
6-7-Day Portland to Acadia National Park Itinerary
Day 1: Portland
Day 2: Boothbay
Day 3: Rockland
Day 4: Camden
Day: 5: Deer Isle
Day 6 and 7: Acadia National Park
The Best Portland to Acadia National Park Road Trip Stops
Although there are many places you can explore between Portland and Acadia National Park, this guide will touch on my favorites. You will not be disappointed taking the scenic route and enjoying these beautiful coastal towns!
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city on this road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park, sitting along the coast of Maine and offering many things to do. If you are a lighthouse lover, Portland is the perfect place to stop on your road trip to Acadia National Park! Portland has five lighthouses within a short drive from downtown. And if you do not like lighthouses, do not fret! Portland has delicious food and a cute downtown area you can explore.
Here are some of the best things to do:
Portland Head Light
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Bug Light
Two Lights State Park
Portland Museum of Art
Peaks Island
Boothbay, Maine
Boothbay is one of the most picturesque coastal towns in Maine. It is also the go-to place for all things boat tours. Whether you want to go on a sunset cruise, see puffins, cruise around lighthouses, or go whale watching, Boothbay has a fun cruise for everyone! And, of course, the downtown area is adorable, and it has delicious food.
Here are some of the best things to do:
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Barrett park
Puffin Tours
Whale Watching
Lerner Garden of the Five Senses
Rockland, Maine
Rockland is a stunning coastal town in Midcoast Maine on Penobscot Bay that should be a stop on every road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park! You can enjoy shopping in its downtown, sailing on a cruise, visiting lighthouses, and relaxing by the ocean. And you can take ferries to the beautiful islands nearby from cruises leaving out of the harbor in Rockland.
Here are some of the best things to do:
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
Farnsworth Art Museum
Owls Head State Park
Rockland Harbor Trail
Vinalhaven
New Haven
Camden, Maine
Camden is one of Maine's most picturesque coastal towns in Midcoast Maine on Penobscot Bay and offers many things to do year-round. If you like mountains by the ocean, this is the perfect place to visit! You can shop in its downtown, sail on a cruise, hike in Camden Hills State Park, explore nearby lighthouses, or relax by the ocean. It has something to do for everyone!
Here are some of the best things to do:
Camden Hills State Park
Laite Memorial Beach
Megunticook Falls
Deer Isle, Maine
Deer Isle is a bit off the route from Portland to Acadia National Park, but it is worth it! Although it looks like an island, you can drive right onto it. You can enjoy strolling through the small downtown, swimming at its beaches, hiking in a preserve, or walking to an island during low tide.
Deer Isle also has many fantastic cafes and delicious seafood restaurants! Deer Isle is also the only place with a ferry to the remote part of Acadia National Park, Isle Au Haut. A small ferry brings you from Deer Isle to the Isle Au Haut, where you can enjoy hiking and camping! You will quickly fall in love with this beautiful coastal area.
Here are some of the best things to do:
Barred Island Preserve
Edgar M Tennis Preserve
Isle Au Haut
Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies
Opera House Arts
Acadia National Park, Maine
And, of course, the last stop on your road trip from Portland is Acadia National Park. Despite being located on Maine’s coast, the 49,000 acres of Acadia National Park are not known for the typical Maine attractions. Acadia National Park instead offers a uniqueness not found anywhere else in the state, which is one of the reasons it is in the most visited national parks every year despite being one of the smallest!
Acadia National Park offers coastal views, rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful mountain views and has activities for the entire family! Whether you want to drive to the tallest mountain for sunrise, walk along its rocky cliffs, spend a day at the beach, or hike around the park, there is something for everyone.
Here are some of the best things to do:
Thunder Hole
Sand Beach
Otter Cliffs
Cadillac Mountain
Jordan Pond
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
If you want to create a fun road trip itinerary from Portland to Acadia National Park, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about the best places to visit between Portland and Acadia National Park.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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